ALERT & RCMP put dent in organized crime groups

Seven people are facing more than 100 charges in connection to a number of ATM thefts.

The coordinated effort between the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team and RCMP got underway in May after two suspected groups were identified by intelligence analysts.

The first phase of the investigation resulted in the arrests of Jonathan Andrews, 23, and Shane Hicks, 37. Andrews has already been sentenced to 30 months in jail. Hicks is due in court on November 2nd.

The second phase of the investigation resulted in the arrests of Tyrone Hunter, Byron Hunter, Rodney Hunter, Francis Cardinal, Abigail Hunter. ALERT says this group, on top of the ATM thefts, was allegedly involved in firearms trafficking, break and enters, among other offences.

All are due in court later this month or early next month.

ALERT Staff Sergeant Dave Knibbs says “The impact of these offences extends far beyond the monetary loss of an ATM. These offenders have left a trail of destruction in rural communities and have shaken resident’s sense of safety.”

According to ALERT’s criminal intelligence analsysts, more than 130 instances of ATM thefts took place in the first six months of 2016. (bw)